Feeding mechanism or the like



July 12, 1938. c. L. MATTxsoN FEEDING MEcHANI'sM 0R THE LIKE Original Filed July 12, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l .IIIIIIIIIIIII Fl 5 y (w .-.vih 9 x. \Z .a

4 Mfwmi a 9 5 5% ..0 9.2 5a 5 24 H 4 4 July 12, 1938. c. MATrlsoN 2,123,432

FEEDING MECHANISM 0R THE LIKE Original Filed July 12J 1930 2 Sheer,s-SheetV 2 immimw" j; i 7 IllIl-lU-lll- Patented `luly 12, 1938 UNITED :5;-1

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FEEDING lVIECHANISM 0R THE LEKE Carl Lawrence Mattison, Rockford, Ill., assigner to Mattison Machine Works, Rockford, 111., a

corporation of Illinois Original application July 12, 1930, Serial No.

Divided and this application August 7, 1936, Serial N0. 94,833

3 Claims.

The invention has reference to a mechanism for feeding articles to be operated upon to certain types of operating machines such as moulders or the like.

The present application is a division of my copending application, SerialNo. 467,501, filed July 12, 1930, now Patent No. 2,053,915.

An object of the invention is to provide a new and improved mechanism of this character which is simple `and sturdy in construction, efcient in operation and which feeds the articles steadily and accurately to the operating machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of this character which embodies a constantly moving chain of novel construction, for feeding the articles, in combination with means for supporting said chain in the feeding movement thereof in such a manner as to dis.- tribute the forces longitudinally of the chain.

More specically stated, it is an object of the invention to provide a feeding mechanism which includes an endless feed chain, adapted to support articles under a pressure-applying means, and means for supporting the article-engaging run of the chain comprising a plurality of rollers underlying and supporting said chain opposite the points where the pressure is applied, the chain being so constructed that, through the cooperation of said rollers, the stress is distributed throughout a substantial section lengthwise of the chain.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent in the following description and from, the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a feeding mechanism embodying the features of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the de- Vice taken substantially along the line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of a section of the feed chain.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a similar section of the feed chain.

Fig. 5 is a top plan View of one of the feed chain links.

Fig. 6 is an end elevation of one of the links.

Figs. '7, 8, 9, and 10, .are sections of individual pivot lugs taken as indicated on the line '1 -l, 8 8, 9 9, lll-Ill, respectively, of Fig. 5.

Fig. l1 is a side elevation of a portion of the feed chain showing a modified form of abutment between adjacent links.

The present invention, as herein illustrated, is used in connection with machines arranged t0 (Cl. 14A-12S) operate upon a succession of articles fed thereto, such as certain types of Wood working machines, of which the machine known to the trade as a moulder is a characteristic example. A feeding mechanism, as used with such a machine, is mounted at the front side of the bed of the machine and embodies mechanism by which a succession of articles to be operated upon, such as pieces of wood, may be fed steadily, rapidly and accurately into the machine. The present organization is adapted to be built into the machine with which it is to be used during the construction of the machine or may be applied to a machine already in existence without material alteration or change in the structure of the mechanism.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 2l) designates generally a frame arranged to be secured, as by the bolts 2l, to the machine with which the mechanism is to be used. Such devices as set screws 22, bearing between the frame 20 and a part of the machine A, may be employed accurately to adjust the frame relative to the machine. The frame is somewhat elongated and supports a pair of shafts 23 which, in this instance, extend horizontally and parallel from opposite ends of the frame. Each of the shafts 23 carries a sprocket assembly 24 secured thereon as by a nut 23a, which assembly herein comprises a pair of spaced sprockets 25 connected by a hub 26. One or the other, or both of the sprocket assemblies is driven in any suitable manner to impart movement to a feed chain assembly 2l which passes about said sprockets. The particular construction of the feed chain assembly will be hereinafter described.

The arrangement of the frame, the sprockets, and the feed chain is such that one run of the chain (herein the upper run) between the Sprockets will be in lalinement with the bed of the machine. Consequently, articles will be fed into the machine by the upper run of the chain. In order to insure a positive, steady, and accurate feed, a well-known type of means is employed for holding the articles securely against the bed surface of the chain. This means is diagrammatically illustrated in Fig, 1 as being presser rolls B disposed above and adjacent the upper run of the chain and inwardly thereof from the axial centers of the sprockets. ing is obtained by providing an elongated guide 28 (Fig. 1) which is secured to the frame 2D and extends along one side of the upper run of the feed chain The presser rolls B, or other pressure applying Accuracy of feedmeans, are usually slightly canted with respect to the direction of travel of the feed chain so that an article passing between the presser rolls and the feed chain will be forced sideways on the chain until it engages the guide 28. Normally, the presser rolls B are adapted to exert a considerable force against an article passing therebeneath, in consequence whereof tremendous strains, caused by this force as well as by the laterally directed force produced by the canted relationship of the presser rolls, are transmitted to` the feed chain. Means is, therefore, provided for supporting the article-conveying or upper run of the chain.

The chain supporting means, which is preferably employed, comprises (see Fig. 2') a plurality, in this instance three, of spaced parallel shafts 29, 30 and 3| mounted in the frame. The axes of these shafts are parallel and extend horizontally of the frame at substantially regularly spaced intervals between the shafts 23. Two of the shafts, which are herein shown as being the shafts 29 and 30, underlie and are in substantially vertical alinement with the axes of the respective presser rolls B. Idle supporting rolls 32 are rotatably mounted on 'the shafts 29 and 30 and the assemblies thereof preferably include interposed roller elements 33. VThe size of the rolls 32 and the position thereof on Vthe shafts 29 and 30 is such that the surface of the'roll engages the inner surface of 'the upper run of the chain between the sides of the chain. Due to the position of the shafts 29, 30 with respect to the presser rolls B, the rolls Y32 engage andsupport the chain at the points Where the presser rolls B apply the greatest force thereto.

The shaft 3| likewise carries an idle supporting roll 34 arranged to engage the inner face of the upper run of the chain at a point substantially intermediate the sprockets to support the central portion of thechain at the point where a workperforming tool (not shown) operates on the Work, said tool usually exerting considerable downward pressure on the work. Suitable roller bearings 35 are interposed between the roll 34 and the shaft 3| and the assembly also provides such'means as washers 36, or the like, at each end of the roll as thrust bearings to prevent axial movement of the roll.

The chain construction preferably employed in connection 'with the previously'described organization is of the endless type comprising a plurality of similar links, each arranged to have a complementary intertting relationship with adjacent links to form the chain. The present chain, while being constructedto cooperate with the supporting means on the frame, is, in itself, so fashioned that it adds to and materially enhances the sturdiness and rigidity of the entire mechanism.

Referring particularly to Figs. 5 and'6, a description of one of the links will vsuffice for all. Each link comprises a unitary structure, preferably formed of cast metal, having an elongated body portion or member 3'! of approximately rectangular shape. Oneface'ofthe body portion, here shown as the outer face and designated 38, constitutes an upper or Varticle-engaging face of the link of relatively short dimension in the direction of travel, which face may, if desired, be serrated or otherwise roughened `positively to engage the article to be conveyed. The body memberhas a plurality of transversely extending lugs arranged in two sets and projecting from the inner lface thereof in a direction opposite to the article-engaging face 38. One set comprises the ve lugs designated 39, 40, 4|, 42 and 43, and the preferred arrangement spaces the lugs at substantially regular intervals between the opposite ends of the body member. The lugs have alined apertures 44 formed therein for receiving a pivot pin 44a.

The other set comprises a pair of similarly formed lugs 45 and 46 extending in the same manner, but in the opposite direction longitudinally of the chain. These lugs 45 and 46 are positioned in intermediate or staggered relation tothe centrally located lugs 40, 4| and 42 on the first-mentioned set and are somewhat heavier and more substantial in construction. 'I'he two Vsets of lugs on each link are so spaced from reach other in the direction of travel that a gap is formed'therebetween, as indicated by the bracket lettered C in Fig. 6. rIhe lugs 45 and 46 are also provided with alined apertures 41 for pivot pins'44a. It will be apparent that Aby this construction the lugs 45 and 46 on one side of the link may be inserted between lugs y40, 4| and 42 on an adjacent link to provide an intertting relationship 'in which the apertures 4'! on the lugs 45 and '46, and the apertures 44 on the lugs 4|), 4| aud 42, are alined to receive the pin 44a for securing the links together.

As is shown clearly in Fig. 6, the lugs are substantially elongated transversely of the link, or'in the direction of travel of the chain, and that the major portions of the lugs are positioned laterally beyond the side edges of the articleengaging face. Moreover, the pivotal centers or axes of the alined apertures 44 and 4'| are likewise located beyond the yedges of the face so that, when the links are combined to form a chain, a gap or space 48 (Fig. 4) of substantial width is 'provided between the sides of adjacent links. These gaps or spaces permit foreign matter to pass freely through the chain during the operation thereof.

It is, however, contemplated that there might be a tendency for particles of unusual size to become wedged between the side faces of adjacent links, -and to overcome this difficulty the side faces, as shown at 49 in Figs. 7, 8, 9, and 10, are undercut or otherwise formed to slope inwardly of the body member from the article-engaging face 38.

This sloping face may be continuous, or as has been found advantageous, those portions of the side face adjacent the lugs may be cut away thus providing alternating sloped surfaces on opposed faces of adjacent'links. In consequence, as the chain passes about the sprocket, during which passage the space between the links first increases and then decreases, the sloping surfaces exert a wedging -force on particles of foreign matter 'to eject said particles from between the links.

Means are provided for limiting the relative pivotal movement of the links in one vdirection to a point in which the links will be positioned in substantially the same level plane, whereby a chain is provided which is self-supporting and cannot sag when straightened intermediate the centers of the sprockets over which it passes. To this end, (see Figs. 4, 5, and. 6), one side face of the body member of the link is provided with a pair `of laterally extending lugs or abutments 5|). These lugs are preferably positioned adjacent the ends of the link, and, as sho-wn in Fig. 5, will generally be disposed in intermediate relation to the outer pairs of lugs 39, 40 and 42, 43 onthe opposite side of the body member.

The abutments 5u are so formed that positive engagement thereof with the side of the next adjacent link is produced when the article-engaging faces 38 of said links are flush or are in the same plane. By virtue of this abutment, therefore, the relative pivotal movement of adjacent links is limited in one. direction to a position in which the article-engaging faces are level and, as a result, the upper run of the chain will extend in a straight line directly between the sprockets at each end thereof,thereby providing a flat, level and sturdy article-conveying surface.

A modified form of limiting abutment is shown in Fig. 11. In this modification, the body members of alternate links are provided with laterally extending, longitudinally spaced, screwthreaded bores 5l bolts 52. The heads of the bolts form the abutment for engagement with the side face of the adjacent link to limit the relative pivotal movement of the links in the manner previously described.

Another feature of the invention resides in the arrange-ment of parts by which a substantially fiat continuous surface is provided on the chain on the side thereof, opposite the article-engaging face, for engagement with the supporting rollers. As may be seen in Figs. 6, 8, 9, and 10, the free ends of certain of the lugs, in this instance the centrally located lugs flil, lil, e2, 45, and 4E, each present an elongated flat bottom face 53, which faces are in a plane paralleling the article-engaging face 38. The links are so arranged that the faces 53 of certain lugs of at least one of the two links on the respective sides of a given link are in, contact with a supporting roll during the time when the article-engaging face 38 of sai-d given link is passing the point of pressure.

The relationshipof the pivotal centers of the lugs to the faces` is such that the major portion of the faces 53 lie on the outer side of the axis.

l Preferably, the proportions are such that, when the links are connected together, the gap C beu tween the sets of lugs on any given link is spanned or bridged by lugs on the two links on opposite sides of said given link and the lugs on said two links extend past each other. Hence, as may be seen in Fig. 3, a continuous level surface is pro-vided on the under side of the chain (which is the side opposite the faces 38) when the chain is in a straight line position.

While the two outer lugs 39 and 43, which are generally formed flush with the ends of the link, may present flat faces similar to the faces 53, these lugs are preferably rounded, as shown at 54 (Fig. 7), in order to eliminate exposed sharp corners on the chain. The two outer pairs of lugs 39, lll) and 42, 43, in the present embodiment, do not receive therebetween any complementary lugs on adjacent links, such space being left open to permit the teeth on the sprockets 25 to engage the pivot pins Ma for driving the chain. Preferably, antifriction rollers 55 (Figs. 2 and 3) are carried by each pivot pin 4ta between the lugs 39, 45 and 42, 43 to lessen the resistance of the chain in passing about the sprocket. It should be noted that the lugs are of substantial length and that the pivot pins are near the outer ends of the lugs. The teeth of the sprockets 25, therefore, can only engage the rollers 55 and cannot Contact the inner surface of the body member.

The pivot pin is maintained against axial arranged to receive headed movementby simple means which is readily de# tachable in order to permit any of the links to be separated. To this end, one of the pivot lugs (in this instancethe `lug 46) has a groove or recess 56 (Fig.f`8) extending across! one side face thereof. The pivot pin 44a is radially bored, as at 5l, at a pointwhich registers with the groove 56 when thevparts are 'assembled so that a suitable member, such 'as the cotter pin 58` (Fig. 6) may extend through the bore 5l with the ends positioned in the recess to prevent displacement of the pin.

In considering the `operation of the mechanism, it will be seen that when the device is combined with a machine, either as a permanent part thereof, or as an attachment, the upper run of the feed chain presents a iiat, level surface for conveying articles through the machine. The application of pressure to the work-carrying face 38 of any given link causes said link to exert forces on the two pivot pins Illia by which it is connected to the two adjacent links. Because ofthe support offered by the supporting roll, the"'fl: rces` on the two pivot pins are transmitted to the two adjacent links which in turn are held in position by their abutment with the links next beyond them.

Particularly is this apparent when the point of application of pressure on a given link is opposite the gap C-between the two sets of lugs thereof. In this position, the lugs of the two adjacent links, which bridge the gap C, are incontact with the supporting roll, and the lugs of the given link are out of suchY contact. Thus, the pressure on the given link, through the pivot pins, tends to cause the two adjacent links to swing'away from the given link and about the line of contact with the supporting roll as a fulcrum. However, such swinging is prevented by the abutment of the links next beyond the adjacent links, and such abutting links are likewise held in abutment with said adjacent links by the next links. It is thus apparent that the stresses are distributed through a substantial section lengthwise of the chain.

Means is provided for guiding the article-conveying run of the chain, which means operates to prevent lateral displacement of the chain by the effect and force of the canted presser rolls B. For this purpose, one of the idle supporting rolls, preferably the center roll 34, carries an annular outwardly extending rib 59 (Fig. 2). On the chain, one of the lugs (in this instance the central lug lil) has an elongated groove 60 (Figs. 3, 5, and 10) formed in the face 53 thereof to engage said rib. These grooves will, of course, be alined longitudinally of the chain when the chain is complete and as the chain passes from one sprocket to another the interfitting rib and groove relationship guides the chain and prevents lateral movement thereof. Obviously, the same result would be effected by reversing the position of the rib and groove.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the present invention provides a mechanism having a level article-conveying bed or surface which is capable of unyieldngly withstanding the stresses and strains incident to the operation thereof and which accurately and evenly conveys articles in an operating machine. The structure of the chain cooperates with the supporting roll in such a manner that the stresses due to application of pressure on the chain are distributed through a substantial section length- Wise of the chain.

I claim as my invention:

1. A feed mechanism having, in combination,

, a traveling chain comprising a plurality of pivoted links each having a top work-engaging face and having two sets of lugs diverging downward to provide a gap between the lower ends of the two sets lengthwise of the chain, a supporting roll underlying the chain and engaging the alined bottom faces of the successive sets of lugs as the chain travels, the two sets of lugs on the links adjacent to any given link intermeshing with the lugs of said given link and jointly bridging said gapto engage the line of support on said supporting roll when the two sets of lugs of said given link are in a position straddling said line, pivot pins connecting said intermeshing lugs, and a, pressure roll overlying the chain directly above said supporting roll and acting to exert downward pressure upon the individual links successively, such pressure when the lugs of a given link are in the said straddling position being transmitted through two of said pivot pins to the links adjacent to said given link,v thereby distributing the stresses through a substantial section lengthwise of the chain.

2. A feed mechanism having, in combination, a rotary supporting roll, a traveling chain cornprising pivotally connected links each having a top work-engaging face and two bottom faces arranged to engage said roll and spaced apart lengthwise of the chain to provide a gap between them, the corresponding roll-engaging faces of adjacent links projecting into and bridging said gap, and a pressure device overlying the chain above said supporting roll and exerting downward pressure upon the individual links successively, each link as a portion of it passes under said pressure device being out of contact with said supporting roll and transmitting the pressure thereon to the twoadjacent links while the said bridging faces are in engagement with said supporting roll.

3. A feeding mechanism having, in combination, an endless chain arranged to carry articles to a pressure-applying means and to support said articles at the point of pressure, a pair of spaced sprockets for driving said chain, and a roll positioned between Said sprockets and in contact with the chain to support the chain at the point of pressure, said chain comprising a plurality of links adapted to carry the articles on its outer face and having interiitting lugs extending inwardly to provide a bearing surface engaging said roll, pivot pins connecting said lugs and extending laterally beyond said lugs, and rollers mounted on the outer ends of said pivot pins at the respective sides of said chain for engage ment by said sprockets, each of said links also having a pair of lugs supporting the ends of the pivot pin beyond said rollers, the roll-engaging lugs of a given link being spaced apart lengthwise of the chain to provide a gap between them with the corresponding lugs of the adjacent links projecting into and bridging said gap, the bridging portions of the lugs of said adjacent links being in contact with the supporting roll when the point of application of pressure on the given link is opposite said gap, whereby the stresses are distributed through a substantial section lengthwise of the chain.

CARL LAWRENCE MATTISON. 

